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Weather & Climate in Bell, FL
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 53°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 314 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 54.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 66 feet.
Temperature
53°F Jan (11°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 67.7°F |
| 25% above US avg | |
| January Average | 53°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 314 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 66 ft (20 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 309/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 29.7568°N, 82.8620°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Gilchrist County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gainesville Regional (GNV) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 28.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 73.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
20 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 5.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 82 km |
| 2024 | Milton | Category 3 | 121 mph | 230 km |
| 2024 | Debby | Category 1 | 81 mph | 54 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 4 | 132 mph | 67 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 284 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 5 | 161 mph | 239 km |
| 2017 | Irma | Category 1 | 75 mph | 185 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 121 mph | 209 km |
| 2016 | Hermine | Category 1 | 81 mph | 125 km |
| 2004 | Jeanne | Category 3 | 121 mph | 213 km |
| 2004 | Frances | Category 2 | 104 mph | 290 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 177 km |
| 2000 | Gordon | Category 1 | 75 mph | 216 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 296 km |
| 1998 | Earl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 276 km |
| 1995 | Erin | Category 1 | 86 mph | 208 km |
| 1985 | Elena | Category 3 | 127 mph | 140 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 2 | 98 mph | 188 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 242 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 1 | 75 mph | 287 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
295 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 113 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 1988 | EF3 | 94 km | 12.0 mi | 4 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF3 | 44 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1960 | EF3 | 54 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2008 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 2008 | EF2 | 52 km | 1.5 mi | 1 |
| Dec 25, 2006 | EF2 | 57 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 2001 | EF2 | 99 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 2001 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1998 | EF2 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1998 | EF2 | 94 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1993 | EF2 | 97 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1993 | EF2 | 29 km | 1.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 5, 1988 | EF2 | 83 km | 8.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 14, 1986 | EF2 | 54 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 27, 1984 | EF2 | 81 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | EF2 | 6 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1983 | EF2 | 90 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 2, 1983 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1982 | EF2 | 68 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1978 | EF2 | 45 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FRIENDLY (75,089 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | FRIENDLY | 75,089 | 99 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 59,179 | 26 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY LINE | 35,440 | 92 km |
| 2004 | IMPASSABLE ONE | 29,836 | 87 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 25,845 | 78 km |
| 1998 | OAK | 21,478 | 72 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 18,577 | 73 km |
| 1989 | PIN HOOK | 16,471 | 93 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 14,543 | 79 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 13,873 | 72 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 13,806 | 72 km |
| 2011 | IMPASSABLE BAY | 11,889 | 82 km |
| 2020 | CPT 3 ALBERT/CPT 119 HANCOCK | 10,724 | 88 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 8,334 | 66 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 7,078 | 62 km |
| 2011 | UNNAMED | 6,941 | 88 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 6,926 | 75 km |
| 2000 | BENTON | 6,719 | 79 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 6,572 | 79 km |
| 2011 | SANTE FE | 6,497 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 53°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 67°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 6.4 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 8.5 in | |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 8.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 79°F (26°C) | 5.6 in | |
| October | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| November | 63°F (17°C) | 2.5 in | |
| December | 56°F (14°C) | 3.5 in |
Bell has a seasonal temperature swing of 29°F / from 53°F in January to 81°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 56.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.9") and October the driest (2.1").